http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsext...cle_3696d822-1366-536c-9aa8-6d5eb2957f2b.html
STILLWATER - Two years ago, Oklahoma State's Devin Davis was a third-year sophomore. At 6-foot-6 and about 320 pounds, he was supposed to have been the Cowboys' starter at left offensive tackle. He was considered a young man with potential - perhaps destined to become an All-Big 12 performer and maybe even a first-round NFL draft pick.
A few days before the 2013 opener, Davis sustained a serious knee injury. It is believed to have involved multiple ligaments, causing him to miss not only the entire 2013 season but the 2014 season.
After spring practice Wednesday, Cowboys coach Mike Gundy reported that a comeback is impossible and that Davis has retired from football.
"It was emotional for him, but he handled it better than I would have ever handled it," Gundy said. "He was terrific. He was very mature. He's experienced and had a good upbringing.
"He knows he was dealt a tough hand. He's working in our weight room now and he's going to graduate. He's going to do well."
Davis, 22, hails from Nacogdoches, Texas, and signed with OSU in 2011. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he played in seven games. By 2013, he was on course to becoming a dominant tackle, but he was injured during preseason camp.
During the 2014 season, Gundy said of Davis: "I'm hoping he turns into another Kye Staley - a guy that eventually works through it and his pain can diminish somewhat, and he can come out and play."
As a redshirt freshman running back in 2009, Staley sustained a catastrophic knee injury. He missed two seasons and was said to have given up on playing again.
But he did play again. During OSU's 2013 rout of then-No. 3-ranked Baylor, Staley scored the first two rushing touchdowns of his career.
Staley was able to cope with a diminished knee in part because he was 100 pounds lighter than Davis.
"With Kye, we would practice him for a day and leave him off for two days," Gundy said. "We can't do that on the offensive line. One of the most difficult things we had to do was have the conversation with (Davis) about him not being able to play. Life throws us all curveballs, and sometimes it's not fair.
"I think he was potentially a first-round pick. That's why we gave him the extra year (to make a recovery attempt). There was just too much of a chronic pain for him.
"At some point, you realize, 'I'm not going to do this for the rest of my life. If it hurts now, what's it going to be like when I'm 30 years old?' Very difficult decision for all of us."
STILLWATER - Two years ago, Oklahoma State's Devin Davis was a third-year sophomore. At 6-foot-6 and about 320 pounds, he was supposed to have been the Cowboys' starter at left offensive tackle. He was considered a young man with potential - perhaps destined to become an All-Big 12 performer and maybe even a first-round NFL draft pick.
A few days before the 2013 opener, Davis sustained a serious knee injury. It is believed to have involved multiple ligaments, causing him to miss not only the entire 2013 season but the 2014 season.
After spring practice Wednesday, Cowboys coach Mike Gundy reported that a comeback is impossible and that Davis has retired from football.
"It was emotional for him, but he handled it better than I would have ever handled it," Gundy said. "He was terrific. He was very mature. He's experienced and had a good upbringing.
"He knows he was dealt a tough hand. He's working in our weight room now and he's going to graduate. He's going to do well."
Davis, 22, hails from Nacogdoches, Texas, and signed with OSU in 2011. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he played in seven games. By 2013, he was on course to becoming a dominant tackle, but he was injured during preseason camp.
During the 2014 season, Gundy said of Davis: "I'm hoping he turns into another Kye Staley - a guy that eventually works through it and his pain can diminish somewhat, and he can come out and play."
As a redshirt freshman running back in 2009, Staley sustained a catastrophic knee injury. He missed two seasons and was said to have given up on playing again.
But he did play again. During OSU's 2013 rout of then-No. 3-ranked Baylor, Staley scored the first two rushing touchdowns of his career.
Staley was able to cope with a diminished knee in part because he was 100 pounds lighter than Davis.
"With Kye, we would practice him for a day and leave him off for two days," Gundy said. "We can't do that on the offensive line. One of the most difficult things we had to do was have the conversation with (Davis) about him not being able to play. Life throws us all curveballs, and sometimes it's not fair.
"I think he was potentially a first-round pick. That's why we gave him the extra year (to make a recovery attempt). There was just too much of a chronic pain for him.
"At some point, you realize, 'I'm not going to do this for the rest of my life. If it hurts now, what's it going to be like when I'm 30 years old?' Very difficult decision for all of us."
